The Breaks

Dear Mrs Burden

This is very hard to say, but I sincerely hope that you're doing alright

I know my attempts will never ease your pain

But since it happened I truly haven't slept a night

I'm haunted by her innocent face

Each breathe I take reflects my mistake

I never wanted to be the end of someone's fate

Mrs Burden, these scars grow deeper every day

I know tomorrow she would have been eight

If it wasn't for my irresponsible methods of escape

I understand why I'm subject to your hate

But I swear she came out of nowhere

And by the time I hit the breaks it was too late

Crashed, crumbled, the castle in my head

My body froze when I saw that little girl was dead

And on the side of the road I heard the mother crying

At the corner of ignorance and life I ran a stop sign

I wish I could go back in the past and not drink that last glass

The day altered eternity and I can't stop thinking

Of how it probably wouldn't have happened if I wasn't drinking

And now I swallow this holy water

I'm sorry that I murdered your only daughter

I'm not writing this to gain your forgiveness

But only to show my suffering as honor

Oh why did I survive and a child died

I wish it was the other way around

She had so much ahead of her, so much to live for

And that so much is nothing now

Mrs Burden, Mrs Caroline Burden

I don't expect my apology to bandage your burns

But each instant of remorse slowly eats its core of my heart

If I'd have only kept my car parked

Now every time I close my eyes I hear that girl's cries

I'm not comfortably numb like the criminals you despise

Even though I'm physically unable to run from it

This jail sentence is the lightest of my punishments

It was an accident and in hell I'm burning

On my cell wall is a silhouette of one Velicity Burden

Who was introduced to death at a young age of six

In broad daylight a block away from where she lives

I got off work early so I stopped at the bar

Then not using my head I hopped in my car

Intoxicated speeding home to surprise my wife and my child

I was so close, yet so far away

So now I swallow this holy water

I'm sorry that I murdered your only daughter

I'm not writing this to gain your pity

But I hurt too, for God's sake

Caroline, don't forget I was her father

And I always will be

And still am

Sincerely yours with love forever

William D. Burden

I'm sorry, that's all I can say

I'm sorry